Commandry of the Knights of Malta in Malá Strana, Medieval monastery in Malá Strana, Czech Republic.
The Commandry of the Knights of Malta centres on the Church of Our Lady under the Chain, built by Renaissance rebuilding of the Gothic presbytery of a larger planned church. A courtyard occupies the site of the Romanesque basilica's nave, whose remains show on its south wall, and two unfinished monumental Gothic towers with a portico close it toward the street. The Grand Prior's Palace stands on the corner of Velkopřevorské Square, retaining Romanesque masonry of the original convent inside.
Founded between 1158 and 1169 by King Vladislav I on land he donated, at the urging of Vyšehrad provosts Gervasius and his grandson Martin, who financed the church. The fortified complex guarded the approach to the Judith Bridge, and in 1378 the body of Emperor Charles IV was displayed in its Gothic presbytery.
The complex is the seat of the Grand Priory of the Knights of Malta in Bohemia, the order's oldest convent in the Czech lands. The church's name, Our Lady under the Chain, recalls the chain that once closed access to the Judith Bridge or the commandry grounds. The adjoining gardens lie on the eastern side of the buildings.
The complex lies between Velkopřevorské Square, Prokopská Street, Saská Street and the Čertovka stream in Malá Strana. The church and courtyard are the usual points of access; the Grand Prior's Palace and adjoining buildings serve as the seat of the Grand Priory and are not open as a museum.
The church's name recalls the chain that closed off access to the Judith Bridge or to the commandry's grounds. The complex, with its ramparts and towers, guarded the approach to that bridge together with the bishop's court opposite. The chain gave the church its epithet "under the chain".
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